I think that when two people read something that profoundly effects them then they have shared an intimate experience. That’s why it’s so pleasurable to read the same book as a close friend. Then you can share private thoughts, discuss similarities and differences and grow closer as well as gain a better understanding of the book. When I read an old copy of a great book I wonder if previous readers stayed up late for another chapter or had to take pause and reflect in the same parts.
yeah!! I know exactly whatyou mean. Especially when I hold a book from say the 1890s. I wonder about the former readers, what they were like, what did they think about the book, what did they wear, where did they live, that sort of thing.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
How indeed? It was because I was looking for the next in the series of Jean Auel's Mammoth Hunter books that I found Jane Austen on the same shelf. This began my interest in reading other classics.How would they happen upon a classic if it's not sitting on the shelf?
Keeping up with the times also includes internet usage at the libraries. The local library here has about 50 computers set up in many rows as the central theme of the library. It is rare to have to share an aisle while perusing the bookshelves; unless of course you're in the Bestseller section which gets front door status.Fairfax County may think that condemning a few dusty old tomes allows it to keep up with the times. But perhaps it's inadvertently highlighting the fact that libraries themselves are becoming outmoded.
Many libraries pride themselves on providing internet usage for people seeking information. It'd be interesting to know how much of that information is contained in the latest e-mail, or includes the price of whatever material item they are researching for a future purchase. Of course, I've seen far worse walking by that section but I'm hopeful that filters have improved. Questionable material, of course. Creeps me out, too, when I think of children being dropped off there.
Well, this is sad to see. Fortunately, based on the records at the San Antonio library system the classics are being checked out (Every book I've checked out recently: one by Vonnegut, a Hemingway book, and McCarthy's The Blood Meridian) have showed stamps indicating that they've been checked out this year.
However, yes, the internet section is huge. Perhaps if they allow me to volunteer (planning to go in for an interview and start later this summer) I'll get a chance for more of an inside scoop.
When they want to control your reading, all they have to do is blame it on the computer. This avoids the 'burning of the books' as in 1930's Germany.
But then again, from what I observe today, they don't really need excuses, for anything, and public opinion counts for less, and less.
It is not controlling, it is just the state of affairs - We have people who read, long life democracy. The system have give people the fair access to books. But the system did not produced anything else. So, the access to the classics and the kind of literature that is more complex that the old best-sellers formulas are never given and barrier just grew.
The funny thing it is those classics are more accessible online since authoral rights do not play a role.
Btw, in the XIX accross europe the libraries also used their little space for the "best-sellers" and had little variation. It is an old story.
I read this and wanted to go kick the nearest library. No luck there, though, since my library is really good and I'm on a first name basis with some of the people working there. I live in Washington, and I can't believe that anyone would consider throwing out the classics. They may not be read often, but some books I consider necessary to a library. I bet Darwin's books don't get checked out much, but does that mean that you just dispose of them? I can just see someone sitting back saying "Oh well, no one checks out Hamlet anymore. It is time to get rid of it."
Come to think of it, based on where I live...
Well, I better make sure they HAVEN'T thrown out all the Darwin and everything else evolution related.
EDIT: Plenty of material there, waiting to be checked out.
Last edited by Dark Star; 07-07-2007 at 01:49 AM.
Throwing out books? Sounds scary. If you ask me, no book should ever be thrown out... they should just all be collected... "this is what mankind wrote".
"Dullness. Ethereal, ephemeral, allegorical dullness. The blunt boredom rises from the gorge of her insufferable lips and floats like the tiniest feather of a long dead bird until it lands, naked and tired memory next to your fleshy feet. But she is gone now, away, away, like all the others, away, away! Only I, poet man, has chosen to stay. And I welcome you, travelers, to the memory catacombs of the Brunnen-G!" (c) Poet Man
Originally Posted by Dark Star
Come to think of it, based on where I live...
Well, I better make sure they HAVEN'T thrown out all the Darwin and everything else evolution related.
Save a copy of "Reel Terror" for me, will you? I feel that is going to disappear soon.
"Dullness. Ethereal, ephemeral, allegorical dullness. The blunt boredom rises from the gorge of her insufferable lips and floats like the tiniest feather of a long dead bird until it lands, naked and tired memory next to your fleshy feet. But she is gone now, away, away, like all the others, away, away! Only I, poet man, has chosen to stay. And I welcome you, travelers, to the memory catacombs of the Brunnen-G!" (c) Poet Man
Well, I'm VERY happy! They even have this four book complete Darwin box set that seems to be out of print. Good luck reading all of that in three weeks, though...
Well, I'm VERY happy! They even have this four book complete Darwin box set that seems to be out of print. Good luck reading all of that in three weeks, though...
I don't know about that...I wouldn't be devastated if Paris Hilton's autobiography quietly exited the bookstores and libraries...
'...A cast of your skull, sir, until the original is available, would be an ornament to any anthropological museum. It is not my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet your skull.' --Dr. Mortimer, The Hound of the Baskervilles
There are plenty of people who would be happy reading Paris Hilton's autobiography...
"Dullness. Ethereal, ephemeral, allegorical dullness. The blunt boredom rises from the gorge of her insufferable lips and floats like the tiniest feather of a long dead bird until it lands, naked and tired memory next to your fleshy feet. But she is gone now, away, away, like all the others, away, away! Only I, poet man, has chosen to stay. And I welcome you, travelers, to the memory catacombs of the Brunnen-G!" (c) Poet Man
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